Page 52 of The Cowboy's Ultimatum

The big dog, still stretched out on his mat, sat up and barked, then laid back down.

“See, he’s scary smart,” Helen muttered as she put Molly back into her bed. “We won’t be long, sweetheart.”

As they finished dressing and stepped into the hall, Helen paused and peeked back into the room. Her little dog was already going back to sleep.

* * *

Lake View Point was only about a ten minute drive, and it wasn’t long before they saw the flashing lights in the distance.

“I can understand why you could make out those taillights. It’s so dark out here,” Helen remarked as Andy sped down the deserted country road.

“Like I said, they just disappeared. In a way I hope I’m wrong about this. There’s no question Ken and his gang should be locked up, but bein’ by the lake this time of year—it’s not safe.”

“Does the water really swell up and cover everything that fast?”

“Yep, every spring. It’s like a small, quiet tsunami, and it can happen any time and it’s fast. That’s why there’s a chain across the entrance, to stop people.”

“Why aren’t there any signs.”

“Oh, there have been, but they get stolen.”

“You’re kidding?”

“Nope, and here we are,” he declared, rolling to a stop behind the line of vehicles. “Prepare yourself. This could be grim.”

CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO

They were barely out of the truck when they saw the sheriff marching towards them.

“Andy, Helen,” he grunted. “I tried callin’ but the signal’s bad out here tonight.”

“What’s happened?” Helen asked anxiously.

“Not good news, though I guess that depends on your point of view. Just one survivor, and he’s completely traumatized. Keeps talkin’ about lake and mountain spirits. And, uh, only two bodies.”

“So…who…?”

“Ken Lockhart, he’s gone. The lake took him,” the sherif replied with a sigh. “He’s not the first, and probably won’t be the last.”

“I’ve chills all through me,” she muttered with a shudder.

“Me too, it’s cold out here,” Andy said, moving his arms around her. “Is the water still up?”

“About half-way. The two victims were still beneath it and the boys had a helluva time gettin’ them out. They were wrapped up in soaked sleepin’ bags. Sorry, Helen, that was probably too much detail,” he added hastily.

“No, don’t apologize, I want to know everything. Will you be dragging the lake to find Ken?”

“Not a chance. We’d never find him. It’s real deep, and deceptively big. But if he has relatives who want to do that we’ll issue a permit.”

“Wow, this is just unbelievable. May I see what it looks like?”

“A tow truck is on its way for the bikes and car, but other than that the scene is cleared, so sure, I can walk you up and you can view it from the top of the bank.”

“Car?” Andy repeated.

“We think they hid the valuables they stole somewhere inside it and planned to drive it outta here.”

“So everyone will get their belongings back?”

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